How much does it cost

If you walked into a $50,000 kitchen, you’d expect to see some materials and details that you wouldn’t find in a $12,000 kitchen. While there are endless combinations of products and materials available for any kitchen, here are some of the most likely scenarios:

Design Element	$5,000-$20,000	$20,000-$40,000	$40,000-plus
Cabinets	Stock	Semi-Custom	Custom
Appliances	Freestanding with standard features	Freestanding with paneled fronts and standard features	Built-in with professional-style features
Countertops	Laminate	Wood, tile, or solid surface	Stainless steel, stone, or solid surface
Flooring	Vinyl, laminate, or linoleum	Tile	Stone or hardwood
Sinks & faucets	Stainless steel, self-rimming single- or double-bowl sink	Multiple under-mounted, enameled cast iron or stainless steel sinks	Multiple solid surface, integral sinks and pot-filler faucet by the range
Architectural details	Painted or vinyl walls and ceilings with simple or no moldings and trim	Wood-paneled or plastered walls and ceilings with some detail work in moldings and trim	Beamed or pressed-tin ceilings, stucco'ed walls, extensive moldings and trim, hand-carved accents, glass tops, and chrome finishes

Budget Questions

To help focus your selection process, ask yourself the following questions.

You can print out the questionnaire and refer to it as you read through the site and while visiting a designer’s showroom.

1. What’s the main reason I’m planning to invest in a new kitchen? Does my new kitchen represent an investment in the home I plan to stay in for a while or am I just looking to spruce it up for resale?

2. How much do I want to spend on my new kitchen?

3. If I’m building a new home, how much can I spend on the kitchen? Is the price included in the total cost of the project? How much flexibility do I have with the kitchen’s design and layout?

4. How much do my favorite products and materials cost for my ideal kitchen?

5. Does the cost of my ideal kitchen exceed my practical budget? What less expensive materials could I substitute for pricier options if I need to lower my costs?

6. What time frame would I like to have my kitchen completed in? Do I have time to wait for pricier custom treatments or am I in a hurry?

7. Have I set aside some cash as a cushion for unexpected costs?

8. How much do I want to budget for the cabinets, which typically account for half the budget for a new kitchen?

9. Do I plan to supply any of the materials or do any of the installation work myself?

10. Do I plan to work with a designer?